Looks like F1 is returning to a grid of manufacturers whose #1 passion is racing, not using F1 as a means to promote and sell mass produced automobiles.
Privateers, the true spirit of auto-racing are back in bigger numbers as well.
Its sad the economic events that triggered such a thing, but I still like what it means for F1s future.

151
posted on 11/07/2009 4:35:46 AM PST
by Proud_USA_Republican
("The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.")

Just a quick Q to all you F1 fans out there: Anyone play RACE 07? I've had it for two years but never really played it. Now I'm in a group, but they don't particularly care for the F3000s (the old feeder series to F1, like Indycar Lights is to Indycar), and barely tolerate the Formula BMW's. I'm looking for some people who want to run the F3000's on a regular basis, and only occasionally run the WTCCs, Mini-Coopers, etc. Also, I'll soon be moving to RACE ON with the IFM's, so if you have that, let me know what you think of them compared to the F3k.

Jenson Button has reportedly agreed a three-year contract with McLaren that will see the reigning World Champion earn £6m per year.

According to the Guardian, Button ‘has agreed terms to join McLaren on a £6m-a-year deal and could sign his formal three-year contract to partner Lewis Hamilton in an all-British line-up within the next few days.

‘The Guardian understands that the World Champion has turned his back on Brawn following protracted negotiations and will almost double his salary with the Woking-based team. ‘

‘For Button the prospect of going head-to-head with a close friend and the man regarded by many in the pit lane as possibly the fastest of all will just be part of the challenge of defending his title.’

And although current McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has said he would welcome Button, the newspaper was quick to point out that McLaren would not have given the 2008 Champ a say in the matter.

‘It is unlikely either Hamilton, who earns about £12m a year at McLaren, or his father Anthony, who has managed the 2008 World Champion since his days as a teenage kart racer, will have been consulted on this beyond the normal deployment of good manners,’ claimed the report.

‘McLaren have always had the resources and philosophy required to field two fully competitive cars and have always sought the strongest possible driver line-ups they could engage.’

Button’s reported signing comes just hours after Mercedes let go of their 40 percent stake in McLaren in favour of a take-over at Brawn GP, prompting speculation that the team would take on an all-German line-up, leaving Button out in the cold.

However, Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug was quick to downplay the rumours.

“I read some speculation and I understand this because we could not give this information earlier. But this will be an international team for Mercedes-Benz is a global player,” he said.

“We want to have the best ones and we definitely do not want to have the pure German team - it’s an international Silver Arrows team and we want to have the best drivers in the car.”

Haug’s comments were followed by Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry stating that the team is still keen to hold onto Button, although not at any price.

“I hope Jenson is still with us next season,” Fry told the BBC. “We’ve been together for a good few years now and we have succeeded in winning the World Championship together and we want Jenson to be with us.”

But despite the statements by both Haug and Fry, the Daily Mail claims that ‘an exasperated source close to Button dismissed the comments as ‘lip service.’

The newspaper also says that ‘Button is expected to sign for McLaren before the end of the week rather than risk ending up without a team after Mercedes’ buy-out of Brawn yesterday pushed him closer to the exit door.”

The saga of the future of the British Grand Prix continues to drag on - but all the indications are that Silverstone is inching towards concluding a deal with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

I heard whispers earlier this week that a deal had actually been done, if not yet signed. But Damon Hill - the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club which owns Silverstone - tells me that is not yet the case.

Hill says there is "no reason to think it won't be signed" but long experience of working with Ecclestone has taught him not to presume anything will happen before it actually does.

"It would be almost inconceivable for there not to be a British Grand Prix next year," Hill said on Thursday, "but until it is signed, there is always the possibility that will be the case."

There is no doubt that both the BRDC and Ecclestone's F1 Management (FOM) company are keen to sort it out and secure the race's future in the wake of the fiasco over Donington Park's failure to raise the funds needed to fulfil its contract to host the race.

The front wheels are a tire (Michelin SWS) width wider than the rear so it stops in a straight line and would actually ride on three tires because of the hydraulic suspension ... though don't try and fast corners

I picked up the Blue one in Port Everglades and shortly thereafter came up upon and passed a FL Stater Trooper while he was pulling over an other speeder on a big curve on the highway

He waved off the other car and came for me and I pulled over and waited.

As he approached the car I released the hydraulics dropping the car down almost on the tires

I handed him my export registration and a Florida license

He said, "Didn't you see me pulling that other car over?" Though not usually prone to profanity the trooper asked, "What the f____ is this?"

I explained that I had just picked it up at the port and this was my first drive on this side of the puddle

He handed me back my fist full of paper work and told me he never wanted to see me on his highway again.

I thanked him sincerely started the car and raised the car back to the second level he just stared at me with his hands on his hips as I pulled away

It's a great car and if I thought someone could keep one on the road I'd have one today

Aviation grade aluminum and the smoothest ride on the road

Bob Cressman of Cressman Ferrari in Hollywood?? took good care of them and was far better than the dealer (who also sold VW's in Lauderdale) an SM will hold its own with any car today, either standing still or with the Maserati W-6 screaming

The front wheels are a tire (Michelin SWS) width wider than the rear so it stops in a straight line and would actually ride on three tires because of the hydraulic suspension ... though don't try and fast corners

I think I paid in the area of $14K in France then brought them in as used vehicles there was a healthy tax break

I can remember taking it in for new hydraulic$ (the valves and seals in the spheres and a dose of nitrogen) and a pricey tire change at the Importer in Englewood (or Cliffside ? or Englewood Cliffs??) NJ .... met Francis Ford Coppola there also waiting for a fix on his ... very pleasent man

old Lester was certified to work on Citroen / Ferrari / Lamborghini / Maserati / Lotus / DeTomasso / MG/Morgan/Triumph/Austin's, you name it... and people came here from miles around as he was the closest certifiedwrench.

The FIA confirmed on Thursday that BMW Sauber have been granted a slot on the 2010 grid - taking the place of the departing Toyota team - subject to them signing the Concorde Agreement that governs Formula One racing.

BMW announced earlier this year it was withdrawing from the sport at the end of 2009 and last week sold the team back to original founder Peter Sauber, having abandoned previous plans for it to be purchased by investment group Qadbak.

Throughout the sale process the team has had no confirmed entry for 2010, the 13th - and final - slot for next season having been awarded to the new Lotus team. But now, after Toyota's exit and months of uncertainty, the future of the Swiss squad, who made their F1 debut in 1993, looks assured.

A statement released by the FIA said: The FIA has written to inform BMW Sauber AG that their application for an entry in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship has been successful. Subject to their signing the Concorde Agreement, BMW Sauber will be awarded the 13th entry in the Championship, taking the place of the departing Toyota team.

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